- Stay behind me and don't move! - I whispered. - Why do you talk to this young lady like that?
- This young woman, my daughter, scared the horse on purpose to escape from the entourage and return to Inverness. On top of that, he dragged his sister, who came to his rescue. - she answered between her teeth. - I almost die of worry!
The last sentence sounded false and I realized that Ravenna was more concerned with the blonde girl than with the redhead.
- Annabel, what are you doing riding this horse? - she asked. - Is that manners? What will the prince think about your behavior?
- All right, Ravenna! - I said with a frustrated sigh. - Bruce is my cousin and I trust him. Your daughter is safe, trust me.
- Is that angry troll cub your cousin? - Annabel asked him to turn Bruce's eyes again. - I'm sorry, but I should teach you some manners.
Bruce grunted.
- Will you stop offending me? - he fired angry. - Do you know who I am? The Duke of Dunvegan. I'm the third son of the MacCalister house.
- Swear it! - she debated. - Have you ever been told you're nothing but an arrogant bully?
I had a laugh. Although my future wife was very beautiful, with her hair, silver color; very expressive blue eyes and a fertile tongue, it was the redhead of the eyes, emeralds that enchanted me.
- Annabel! - Ravenna reprimanded her. - Apologize and get off this horse right now. Come and ride with me and your father will take his sister.
- I... - Aideen took a break. - I can't have a horse all to myself?
- Cut the nonsense, young lady! - Ravenna responded. - Your father might as well take her. In this way, we will avoid further incidents. Do you agree? I know what you tried to do, and I won't let it happen again.
Aideen gasped and then held her breath. Suddenly the brave girl who attacked me was no longer there and she looked like a cornered animal. He's cornered and he doesn't know where to go. She lowered her head slightly. Bowing, she turned towards where Loch's horse was and began to walk slowly. She didn't seem to want the distance to shorten and was delaying her footsteps as much as possible. Was it me or was she afraid of Loch?
I couldn't believe that the brave girl who had faced me had suddenly become submissive. It was clear that she had not been brought up to be rude to anyone, but somehow knew how to defend herself when necessary. Suddenly I took my hand to my injured arm by accident. I remembered my wrist covered with bandages and closed my eyes. The way Ravenna spoke, the way Aideen looked at me in fear, led me to believe that Ravenna didn't treat her like a mother should treat a daughter. The words about pain and suffering that Aideen had uttered, hit my mind hard. My heart squeezed in anguish. I was not given to sweet feelings for anyone, but something inside me begged me to protect her from anything. Instinctively and possibly for some reason that I couldn't explain, I grabbed his arm hard.
- Wait! We'll escort you to the castle. - said looking around. -- I believe my father is anxiously awaiting you. Aideen, you're coming with me.
- Your Highness, but that would be reckless! - Ravenna hit back. - Aideen, ride the horse with your father.
I looked at Bruce firmly.
- Bruce, you take Annabel and go ahead and make your way. - I commanded. - Aideen will come with me so we can save time with the lack of horses.
Bruce smiled at Annabel's disgusting face and before she even replied, he went out and asked them to accompany him. Ravenna snorted, but then, controlling herself, tried to smile.
- Forgive me, but I don't think that's appropriate.
- You don't understand, do you? - I said no patience at all. - That's an order. Aideen will come with me if I have to drag her down.
Ravenna made mention of saying something, but Loch held her hand preventing her from speaking. She let out a long frustrated sigh and then looked at me with disgust.
- Yeah, well! Then you escort Aideen to Dunhill and get us out of this fucking woods. - Ravenna said between her teeth.
That said, I made a gesture with my head and took the reins of the horse that had knocked her down. Releasing Aideen's arm, I went to the saddle of my horse and tied it so that the other animal would stay behind to accompany us. Loch followed the motorcade without blinking, but Ravenna was still reluctant, but decided to follow the others. Before that, however, she still looked down on her own daughter with hatred.
- Are you coming? - he said by reaching out to Aideen.
She looked at my hand with fear, but extended her hand so that I could help her. His touch was soft and his skin was very delicate. I felt the warmth emanating from her and held her tightly to pull her towards me. Instead of putting her in the cell behind me, I simply held her between my arms against my chest.
- Don't worry, for I won't let you fall off your horse. - that sounded more like
